MEA-MFT Board opposes CC 2

"It ain't broke, so don't fix it." That's what the MEA-MFT Board of Directors determined at their Helena meeting July 29-30, discussing Montana's state constitution.

The board took action to oppose “CC2” -- the constitutional convention initiative that will appear on the November ballot this year.

If passed, CC2 would require a constitutional convention that would open up Montana’s state constitution to an unlimited number of revisions.

“CC 2 would open up a Pandora’s box of mischief,” said MEA-MFT President Eric Feaver. “If it passes, we could expect to see legislators tamper with many of our state constitution’s most bedrock measures, including the guarantee of quality public education for all. This is an extremely dangerous initiative.”

Originally adopted in 1972, Montana’s constitution is brand new by almost any standard. Judicial decisions interpreting the meaning of much of Montana’s constitution are only now being decided and precedents being established.

To throw open the constitution now would needlessly reignite disputes of already-settled law and immerse Montana in legal uncertainty on scores of issues ranging from school funding to taxation.

The following are just some of the provisions that a new constitutional convention might consider that would directly impact MEA-MFT members throughout Montana:

Eliminating the independent roles for the Board of Public Education and Board of Regents to oversee public education in Montana.

Softening the current constitution’s requirements for adequate and equitable funding of schools.

Eliminating the constitutional protection of public employee retirement assets – a provision that MEA-MFT members worked tirelessly to pass in 1992.

Adopting irrational and unworkable limits on taxation that have been rejected in the past and would hamstring school districts, the university system, and local and state governments. Remember CI-75 and CI-97 (TABOR)?